STORRS, Conn.- The UConn women's cross country will look to build on their strong opening race performance, continuing their 2024 season at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational in University Park, Pennsylvania hosted by Penn State University. 

The women's 6K race will see UConn racing against: 

• Army West Point
• Bucknell
• Columbia
• Duquesne
• Georgetown
• Lehigh
• Lock Haven
• Loyola (Md.)
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Monmouth
• Navy
• Penn
• Pitt
• Princeton
• St. Joseph's
• Syracuse
• Temple 
• UMBC
• Buffalo
• West Virginia

The Huskies took second place in team score in their first race of the season at the Marist Season Opener two weekends ago. Loghan Hughes was third overall in the race, putting together the best performance of her career with an 18:19.8 time in the 5k. Maddie Relyea secured fourth at 18:21.3. Claire Paci broke through in the top 10 in the first race of her collegiate career at 18:29.9, while juniors Calista Mayer, Jackie Izzo, and Ally McCarthy all broke the 20 minute mark in the 5K race.

Racing for UConn Friday will be:

• Loghan Hughes
• Calista Mayer
• Claire Paci
•  Malin Rahm
•  Maddie Reyea 
• Chloe Thomas
• Caroline Towle
• Chloe Trudel
• Rachael Woodruff
•  Jenna Zydanowicz.

Quote from Director of Cross Country & Track and Field Beth Sullivan:

"We are looking forward to a great competition at Penn State.  They have an excellent course and Coach John Gondak and his staff have assembled a very competitive field.

The Huskies have had a tough few weeks of training, as early season preparation involves lots of miles and long strong interval training. But we are excited to see how we stack up!!"

The women's race will start at 10 am, and the men's race will begin immediately after at 10:45 am.